When I asked Reeves what he thought of the chances new Dolphins offensive coordinator Brian Daboll might be able to re-energize the Miami version of the Wildcat — the Browns got plenty of mileage out of Josh Cribbs in that set the past two years — Reeves made it clear it’s about the players, not the scheme.

“They’ve got an exciting guy running the Wildcat,” said Reeves, coaching the East team at this week’s East-West Shrine Game. “I don’t know if there’s anyone better than Ricky [Williams] or [Ronnie] Brown. They’re both studs. I did several games with them. They’re both outstanding football players. … If you’ve got those two guys as free agents, what are you going to do with those two guys?”

Reeves, who took four teams to the Super Bowl and turned 67 on Wednesday, cautioned that Daboll as a young coordinator must be careful not to try to fit square pegs into round holes. Flexibility was one of Daboll’s buzzwords this week at his formal rollout as Dan Henning’s successor.

“It’s the coach’s ability to use the talent he has,” Reeves said. “Whether it’s the Wildcat or no huddle, whatever. You can’t force a system on players. You’ve got to have the abilty to use what the players do best. I think that’s what he did. He took what he had in Cleveland and said, ‘This is what’s best for us.’ Everybody’s situation is different. You had a young quarterback [in Colt McCoy] this year most of the time, a rookie quarterback. So you got to do things different.”

Reeves, an NFL analyst for Sirius Radio, added he has never had the chance to sit down and talk with Daboll, currently the league’s second-youngest playcaller for the second straight year. Josh McDaniels, recently hired as the Rams’ offensive coordinator, is 34 and almost exactly a year younger than Daboll, 35.

McDaniels and Daboll are tight, by the way, from their championship-winning days on the Patriots staff.

Seattle recently fired Jeremy Bates, who was the league’s youngest OC last year at 34.

“I don’t know him,” Reeves said of Daboll. “I know the name. He’ll have to really utilize what he’s got. In watching the Dolphins, they’ve got some good talent. It’s always the quarterback position that is the key. That’s going to be again the key for them.”

That, and what to do with the rest of the offensive backfield.

As for putting in a new system during an offseason of labor uncertainty, Reeves agreed that could make things even tougher on Daboll.

“The lockout possibility is really difficult,” Reeves said. “But all you’ve got to do as a coach is prepare as if there isn’t going to be one. If there isn’t one, which we’re all hoping for, then you’re ready. So it’s not going to come as a surprise if there is a lockout. Then that’s a total ‘I don’t know.’ There haven’t been many of those, and nobody has any experience with it, so hopefully it won’t happen.”

Comments (34 Comments)

“It’s the coach’s ability to use the talent he has,” Reeves said. “Whether it’s the Wildcat or no huddle, whatever. You can’t force a system on players. You’ve got to have the abilty to use what the players do best….”

This is the closest thing I can think of as to why Henning failed this team. He lacked this ability (or was just too stubborn and old to care – “My way or else!”)

DABOLL=DEBOCALE WHERE SCREWED THIS IS TONYS WAY OF SAYING THANKS FOR LOOKING FOR A NEW HC WHILE IM STILL AT THE HELMS. NOW WE WILL SUCK FOR YEARS….ROSS PLAIN SUCKS. NO NOTHING ABOUT FOOTBALL OR PEOPLE JUST REALISTATE DOUCHEBAG WITH ALOT OF MONEY. THIS IS A SAD SAD TEAM RUINED BY PARCELLS AND HIS FLUNKIES. I LOVE MY TEAM TO DEATH I EAT BREATH CRAP MIAMI DOLPHINS AND THIS IS WHAT WE FANS GET. CRAPPED ON.

If there was ever a fan that deserved to be crapped on it’s you tricky.. You’re an idoit. Who would you have hired? Big names have not worked for us in the past – nothing wrong with Daboll or Sparano – this team is an improved QB play away from being really good.

Let’s see – 4 teams left playing for the SB – We beat 2 of the 4, and got screwd out of a win against the 3rd due to a ref, and lost to the 4th with our 3rd string QB, our Left tackle playing with one arm, and a gimmpy diva WR.. We’re not that far away, but most everyone here refuses to see it because it’s easier to be a synic and a arm chair QB. when this group suceeds, idiots like you will act as if you were on board all along – pathetic.

Misi…couldn’t have said it better and can’t really elaborate anymore that that. The short of it…we aren’t the experts…we aren’t getting paid for the decisions made…and they don’t give us a courtesy call when the decisions are made. I may not like some of the things I’ve seen (especially the last several weeks) but I remain a Finsfan throughout!!
It’s the off-season and I remain ever hopeful for 2011
GO FINS!!!

The worst mistake I can see (20/20 right?) was the decision to make Ricky the #2 back given the injury to Brown last year. Ricky had obviously won the starting job but I don’t think, now, that Ricky was all that well liked by the coaches. Given his demeanor, it was uncharacteristic to see comments from Ricky in the media after the season ended. Now, who do you offer the contract to? Do you keep Ronnie thinking he is more loyal and his foot will only improve in the off-season? Or, do you keep what could be a clear starter in the league for one more year?

This entire offense is gonna get gutted, much like our D last year. Problem is doing O is far more complex than D. On D you’re finding athletes mainly, on O, you need far high degree of skill set due to complexity of execution.

I agree. I can see both Ronnie & Ricky being a great fit in New England. It would also save New England from having to use any of the 6 picks they have in the 1st 3 rounds of the draft on RB this year.

When people say one or two players away I also wonder where that logic comes from. On Offense alone Miami needs: QB, RB, LG, C, RG, WR. That is with no depth @ RB, OL or a decent 2nd tight end.

Phinfreak…
You say this offense is going to be “Gutted”,,,Okay, what’s wrong with that? The players who we stand to lose… Brown, Williams, and a couple very average linemen…are simply not that hard to replace. Not to mention the fact that neither of the running backs are doing that well. One has been hurt so much he has failed to make consistent impact and the other will be 35 come next season.
Gutted is a bit harsh a terminology for only losing a total of 3 starters. Personally, I would pull Long and Marshall aside, and tell the rest of that bunch to “Kick Rocks”… You said it would be just like our Defense getting gutted, except more complicated. Well, gutting our defense moved them from 28th to top 10 in one season. And I can think of no better time to gut an offense then when you bring in a new O-Co.
It has been said so often by scared little Dolfans that Belechick or Footmaster would grab our guys and use them against us…. hey… that crap works both ways and in all honesty, in the last few years aside from Wes Welker who Cam the idiot let go… they have got nothing great. Belechick has 5000 draft picks… why would he want a burned out pot head and a 28 year old oft hurt average RB? I think you think too highly of our personnel…. these guys NEED to go if we are ever to improve.

“As a player…I would much rather play for sniffer over fist pump, any day!”

Look, I am as down on the current perfecta, as I am on the original trifecta! BUT, while I believe Sparano at this point might make a better position coach than an NFL head coach, I have to disagree. 1st off, neither one of us has actually met AND especially have not played for this guy! So to make that staement is reaching. I too, am upset with coaching and front office the last 2 years, but I will never make a statement about someone without at least having met the guy!

It’s like a coach once said “It’s Jimmies and Joes that wins games not X’s and O’s.” I can’t believe w/ a small exceptions (Belechik) that there is that big of a difference in coaching talent in the NFL. They all have to be reasonably good coaches. In fact would Belechik be considered a genius if he didn’t have Brady?

I grew up in Denver, and split my loyalties between the Phins, and the Donkeys, until Reeves, and Elway ruined it for me. I got sick of everyone doing the oral head bob to Elway, acting like he could do no wrong, when many of their problems were caused by him. He won NOTHING until he lost arm strength, lost foot speed, and was forced into a run first offense. Reeves was good at coaching other people’s players, but when he was made GM as well, he completely TRASHED the team. His talent assessment abilities are non existent.

That said, I like what he was saying about what Daboll should watch out for. I like him telling Daboll to stay flexible, and use the talent he has. This was Reeves strong suit. I can see us going forward without either Ricky, or Ronnie ( difficult, I know) if they draft a RB early, so I don’t necessarily agree with him about the RB sitch. If we can keep Ronnie, and draft a RB in the first, or third I think it would be better, but no one can say that Ronnie made the difference this year. My preference for our first pick would probably be Mike Pouncey at Center, or a replacement for Vernon Carey. I have never been a fan of Carey at Tackle. He has always been slow, and allowed too many sacks. Since he has put on so much weight, maybe he would be better inside.

Shula was the master at creating schemes and plays customized for his talents…first was the 53 defense he and Arnsparger morphed…then he developed the offense into more of a passing offense w Marino…he got us to the SB with the Killer B’s defense …

Shula was complimented by Bum Philips back in the days when he said…”..he can take his’n and beat your’n, and take your’n and beat his’n…”

Daboll is Cleveland’s “revenge” against us for luring Labron James. It’s their poison pill to make us look terrible. I am sure Sparano (fist pump moron) relied on endorsements from those he knew in Cleveland.

HARD to imagine that the Browns will likely be a better team in 2011 than the Dolphins.

Daboll + Sparano + Ireland = the blind leading the blind. This ship is going to crash into the rocks.

Dolphin Digest and the NFL Sunday ticket are going to loose my business this season. The Dolphins used to be important to me. Today, who cares.
We are going no where fast.
I think a lock out might be in order. If your a Dolphin fan who cares anyway. We got nothin.

You know, I’m a fan since ‘70, but this product the last 2 years has been disappointing because I thought we were getting better. You know, Wanny was bad in picking personnel, but if you lokk at his won-lost record with us, it was better than the current staff. Of course, I think Ricky touched the ball over 400 times in 2 seasons under Wanny (RUSHING, not receiving!) Wanny was (statistically) our best caoch since Shula! Another funny stat is look @ Jay Fiedler’s won-loss record as a starting Dolphin QB! It will surprise you, Having said all that. we need to fit the system to the talent we have! I-m not renewing my Sunday ticket this year, either. They are going to have to show me some good, TEAM football before I start parting with the $$$ this next season!!

Man, All you whinning Dolphin fans, stop being so negative. I can talk, ive been a Dolphin fan since 1971. Im from Connecticut, Southern New England, you have” Patriot, Jets and Giants fans all around here. But there are also alot of Dolphin fans around here too, you folks down in S. Florida would be proud. So we are out numberd, and yes the Dolphins have not been good for the past 15 years, but don’t give up hope. we will be rewarded for being faithful fans! P.S. Hpoefully sooner then later?????

Unless you have vastly superior talent available at running back you have to sign these guys. The offense was horrible this year because defenses around the league forced Miami to throw the ball. They knew Henne was a joke so they filled the box and said to win you have to pass. Additonally there were injuries along the offensive line that effected both the running lanes and the pass blocking schemes. GET A QUARTERBACK WHO CAN PASS AND COMMAND A GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get healthy on the O and D front lines. Sign these backs. Get B. Marshall a legitimate threat receiver on the opposite side. If not you can bet you will see one or both of these guys in the AFC East on a competitor

Joe,
That’s my nightmare. Watching Ricky, or Ronnie killing us with the Jets, Pats, or Bills. (Don’t have to worry about Ricky in Buff (Wanny is DC now).
They are both good backs. We need to re-sign Ricky. Definitely best of the two!The run-blocking of the O-Line really sucked this year, so can’t put too much in the numbers.. Honestly, lets sin RW and improve our O-Line. STOPPP the platoon system and give RW the ball 20 times per game this year. If we do, we will have good rushing numbers!!!

“He can take his’n and beat your’n, and then take your’n and beat his’n.” Coach Bum Phillips on Don Shula.

The ability to craft your scheme to your talent is what Don Shula did so well. He always found a way to maximize his talent. The fins need that again. Very much so!

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About the author

MIKE BERARDINO is still living the dream he first hatched as a young boy growing up in South Florida in the ‘70s and ‘80s. He’s writing about sports for a living. Best of all, he’s doing it in a now-crowded South Florida sports landscape teeming with talent, passion and, yes, sometimes even controversy. As the newest sports columnist at the Sun Sentinel, where he’s worked since February 1998, most recently as a Dolphins beat writer, Mike will draw on his many experiences over the years covering virtually every major sport and event. You name it, he’s been on the scene: World Series, Summer and Winter Olympics, Super Bowls, NBA Finals, NCAA Final Fours, BCS Championships, Wimbledon, the Masters, NASCAR Sprint Cup and on and on. Talk about living the dream. And now, with this new role and a daily blog forum for his many ideas and opinions, it just keeps getting better.